Automatic die



March 2l, 1950 l R. R. FINN AUTOMATIC DIE 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed May 26, 1944 R. R. FINN AUTOMATIC DIE March 21., 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 26, 1944 Patented Mar. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC DIE Robert R.. Finn, Springlield, Vt., assignor to Jones & Lamson Machine Company, Springfield, Vt., a corporation of Vermont Application May 26, 1944, Serial No. 537,419

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to screw threading dies and has for an object to provide a die which will start to cut threads slightly under diameter, thus to facilitate starting of the threaded work cut thereby into a mating nut or other part. After the start of cutting under-size, the die then automatically cuts to the working size, and nally opens automatically at the end of the thread cutting operation. To this end the die is provided for three distinct chaser positions, a normally closed position for cutting the correct diameter being interposed between a die-open position and a starting closed position, the latter being arranged to cut threads slightly below the normal thread diameter. Means are provided for automatically adjusting the die from the starting closed condition after a predetermined extent of threading to the normal closed threading condition, and finally from the normal threading position to open position after the threading has proceeded for the desired distance. f

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a die embodying the invention and shown in starting thread cutting condition.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Figures 1 and 3.

Figure 3 is a front end elevation of the die to a small scale.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on line 4 4 of Figure 3, but drawn to the scale of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 5--5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detail longitudinal sectional View of a threaded work piece showing exaggerated the reduced diameter and normal threaded portions.

Figure l is a view similar to a portion of Figure 2, but showing the` parts in normal dieclosed positions.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary View similar to portions of Figures 2 and '7, but showing the parts in die-open positions.

Figures 9 and 10 are transverse sectional views through the die on lines 9 9 of Figure 2 and 'l0- 1G of Figure 7, respectively.

Figures 11 to 14, inclusive, are isometric views of certain of the die parts.

Referring to the drawings, the die as shown is of the general type shown in the Bysshe and Finn Patent No. 1,953,529, for Automatic die granted April 3, 1934, but with the additional elements providing for a third position of the 55 chasers, beside the open and normal closed positions, in this third position the chasers being closed slightly more than in normal closed position so as to cut threads under-size. This under-sized-cutting is accomplished for the lirst few threads at the start of the thread cutting operation so as to cut the work as shown in Figure 6 with the iirst few threads at a of less than the normal diameter, say, for example .010" under-size, whereupon the chasers are allowed to separate slightly to normal thread cutting positions where they continue to cut threads of normal diameter as at lb until the work has been threaded to the desired extent. The die is thereupon automatically opened so that the chasers are entirely freed from the work, and the die is thereafter retracted. The initial threads cut to smaller thany normal diameter make it easy to start the threaded engagement of thework piece into a nut or other internally threaded part into which it is desired to insert it, the initial under cut threads guiding the threaded piece into the nut until such time as the normal size threads engage inthe nut and thread thereinto 'as in usual practice, As shown. the die comprises a head l, the major portion of the length of which is externally cylindrical, but which at its forward end has an outwardly extending flange 2 of considerably larger diameter than the remainder of the head. ,The forward face of this flange 2 Ais provided with dovetail slots 3 extending substantially radially for the reception of mating dovetail portions 4 of a plurality of chaser holders 5 which rest flat against the forward face of the flange 2 but may be moved toward and from thecentral longitudinal axis of the head.

Each of the Chaser holders 5 is provided with a `dovetail slot E in one side face for the reception of the mating' dovetail l of a thread cutting Chaser 8, which may be fixed by any suitable means in adjusted lengthwise position in its chaser holder. As shown best in Figure 3, four chasers and holders may be employed, the chasers being of the well known tangent type. The flange 2jof the die head 'is provided with four radial slots 9 therethrough through which are slidable fingers l0 offa' chaser moving member ll. This chaser movingmember H is mounted for sliding motion axially of the die on the relatively large diameter portion I2 of the head back of the flange 2, and each of the fingers l0 flares outwardly away from the axis and engages in a mating hole i4 ina chaser holder, the holes I4 thus being inclined outwardly away from the axis or the die toward their outer ends. It will be evident that by moving the member H axially along the portion I2 of the die head, the chaser holders, and with them the chasers, will be moved in or out with respect to the axis of the die, and as the fingers I and their corresponding holes I4 are symmetrically disposed, the chasers are moved together by equal amounts in either direction.

There are three axial positions which may be assumed by the member I I. As shown in Figure 2 where the member II is at its limit of motion to the left, the Chaser holders are in their inmost positions where the chasers cut the threads under-size so as to cut the threads a shown in Figure 6. By moving the member II slightly to the right to the position shown in Figure '7, the Chaser members 5 are moved outwardly slightly in which position the chasers are spaced to cut threads of normal diameter, this position being the normal `closed position of the die. The third axial position of the member II is shown in Figure 8, this being the extreme right hand position of the member I I wherein the chaser holders 5 are at their extreme outer position and with the Chasers 8 out of Contact with the work. This is the open position of the die.

The member I I is normally pressed toward the full open position of Figure 8, as by a plurality oi springs 2D, which are seated at opposite ends in sockets ZI in the rear face of the flange 2 and in sockets 22 in the opposed face of the member I I. The right hand limit of motion of the member I l is determined by a fixed stop ring 25 threaded onto a shoulder portion 26 of the head I and locked in adjusted position as by means of a set screw 2T threaded in the ring 25 and bearing against the portion 26 of the head. Angular adjustment of the ring 25 which determines its axial position, determines the setting of the chasers for their closed positions, the under-cut closed position being a fixed .amount closer than the normal closed position. The constants of the parts then determine the undersize, and the open positions. Between this xed stop ring 25 and the member .I I are other ring members which depend upon the angular adjustment of certain of them to determine the axial positions of the member I l. To the left of the fixed abutment ring 25 there is positioned a thrust ball bearing 28 against the opposite face of which bears a rockable ring member 29 shown detached in Figure l2. Next in order is a ring member 3B which is keyed to a portion 3i of the head and has 2limited axial motion therealong but is prevented by this key Connection from rotation relative to the head. As shown in Figures 2, 7 and 8, this key connection comprises a flat key head 32 riding in the key slot 33 of the member and having a shank 34 engaging in a perforation 35 in the portion 3l of the head. Bearing on the opposite face, or to the left on the ring 3B, is a rockable ring member 4I! mounted to rock on the portion 3| of the head coaxial therewith.

The rings 29 and 40 are latches, both spring pressed toward latching angular positions, and

' successively turned to releasing positions as the 4 verse order when the die is closed, as will later appear.

The rear face of the Chaser moving member I I is provided with spaced rearwardly projecting lugs Bl, each of which in one angular position of the ring dil, bears against a side face of a radially projecting lug 43 of the ring member Ml as shown best in Figure 5, and the ring member 40 is normally urged` toward this angular position as by a spring pressed plug l5 carried thereby which reacts against an edge face 46 of a sleeve 41 which surrounds and encloses the axially movable stop ring 3i), the rockable ring 29, the ball bearing 28 and the forward portion of the ixed stop ring 25. This arrangement is similar to the construction shown in the Bysshe and Finn patent to which reference has been made and -which may be examined for a more complete showing of this portion of the apparatus, the patent, however, lacking the ring 29, thrust bearing 28 and the lugs 6B on a ring, corresponding to the ring 39. The sleeve il has mounted thereon with a press fit, a release sleeve 58 which has a forward enlarged diameter portion 5I surrounding the member I i and acting as a dust guard to prevent the entrance of foreign matter into the interior of the die. The sleeve 5B also has an actuating iiange 52 in accordance with usual practice. As the sleeve members II'I and 5i! are press fitted they function as an integral piece.

The rear or right hand face of the ring member 39 differs from the corresponding part shown in the Bysshe and Finn patent in that it is provided with a plurality of lugs 6i) (herein shown as four) which, in one angular position of the rockable ring member 29. overlap similar lugs BI on the forward face of the ring member 29. When the ring members 29 and ad are each in one angular position, which is shown in Figure 2. the lugs 60 and 5I of the members 30 and 29 are in engagement, and the lugs il and 43 of the Chaser mov ing member I I and the ring fill are in engagement, the member Il then being held in the position shown in Figure 2 at its extreme forward position by the engagement of the member I I on the member 49, the member 4G on the member 30, the member 30 on the member 29, the member 29 on the ball bearing 28, and the ball bearing 28 on the fixed abutment ring 25. The ring 29 is normally urged toward this angular position where its lugs 6I overlap the lugs E@ on the axially movable abutment 30, this being accomplished by a spring (see Figures 9 and 10) which reacts between a pin 6B projecting inwardly from the ring member 29 and a pin 61 projecting outwardly from the portion 26 of the head I. The ring di) is similarly pressed toward its one angular position by the spring pressed plunger l5 as has already been described.

In order that the die may open slightly after it has Cut the desired number of under-size threads so that the remaining threads may be cut to normal size, means are provided by which the ring member 29 is turned from the position shown in Figures 2 and 9, where the lugs 60 and il overlap, to the position where the lugs '6I are brought out of registration with the lugs 50 as shown in Figure 10. This permits the stop ring 3S to move axially to the right slightly, which allows the rockable ring di? and the chaser moving member II to move with it into the position shown in Figure 7 where the chasers have been moved outwardly to normal closed die position. As shown, this is accomplished by the following mechanism:

The die head I is provided with a central recess or bore within which is axially slidable a plunger l0. The outer end portion of this plunger is shown as cylindrical at 1I and is slidably guided within the bore 'I2 of the recess. Its outer end may have a threaded opening for the reception of a threaded abutment 'I3 which may be fixed in position as by a lock nut 14. The length of this abutment 'I3 is so chosen that it contacts with the work piece as soon as the work piece has been threaded for a few turns to the extent desired for the under-size threads, whereupon i'urther feed of the die onto the work causes the plunger "I to be pressed rearwardly.A This is against the action oi a spring 'I5 which bears atits forward end against the rear end of a shank portion 'I6 of the plunger and at its opposite end on the base 0f a socket member 'I8 which is secured in the rear end of the central bore of the head as by a cross pin '19. The shank portion 'IB extends through a guide slot Si) in a sleeve 8l which is arranged transverse to the axis of the die head and is seated in a laterally extending hole 8'2 therethrough. This sleeve 8I houses a pair of cam elements. herein shown as balls 8d, against the inner faces of which bear edge cam faces 35 of the shank 16. The balls project into recesses 88 in the inner wall of the rocking ring 29. In this position shown in Figure 9, where the rocking ring 28 is in such angular position that its lugs 6I are engaged by the lugs 50 of the ring 3il,`the balls 84 may only partly enter the sockets B8, which are out of axial alinement with the sleeve 8|. The cam edges 85 of the shank 16, however, are provided with low portions at their outer ends and rises 90 leading from the low portions to the high portions 9|. When the low portions are opposite to the balls 84 as shown in Figure 9, the balls may be pressed inwardly by the edge portions of the recesses 88 to allow the ring 29 to take the angular position shown, but when the plunger is moved backwardly by engagement of its abutment by the work, the rises Sil wedge the balls B4 outwardly, which, in turn, wedge the ring -29 angularly to the position shown in Figure 10, bringing the lugs 6I thereon out of register with the lugs 6D of the ring 3i), whereupon the ring 30 and the parts bearing thereon, and including the chaser moving member I I, snap quickly to the right to the position shown in Figure 7. All further cutting motion of the die is accomplished with full diameter threads, this being the normal closed condition of the die. As the plunger continues to be pressed inwardly, the balls 8d ride on the high level portions BI of the shank and remain in the same outward positions shown in Figure 10. This action takes places until the normal threading has proceeded to the desired extent, at which time, and as shown in the Bysshe and Finn patent to which reference has been made, the sleeves 50 and 41 are held against forward motion with the die, whereupon a cam face 53 on the sleeve 4l engaging a mating cam face 54 on the ring 40, as shown in Figure 13 of that patent, rocks the ring dll against the action of the spring pressed plug 45 suiiiciently to bring the lugs 43 out of register with the lugs 4i of the Vchaser moving member II, thus releasing this member II so that the springs 20 drive it to its extreme right hand position, as shown in Figure 8, opening the die. The die is then pulled back from the work by means which engages the sleeve B in the well known manner, and continued motion of the die head Whilethe sleeve 5i! isheld Vagainst further backward motion, pulls the ring 4I] back from the chaser moving member II so that it may be returned by the spring pressed plug 45 to its obstructing angular position, its lugs #i3 overlapping the lugs 4 I, and also allows the spring l5 to move the plunger 'I0 forwardly, allowing the balls 84 to be retracted by the wedging pressure of the wall of the recesses 88 thereon under the action of the spring 65, whereupon the ring 29 may be turned back to its locking angular position, springs 92 seated in sockets therein and bearing against the ring 3U, serving to separate the rings 29 and 30 suiiiciently for the lugs 6I to again overlap the lugs 60. The die is then in its extreme closed position for cutting undersized threads and ready for a succeeding threading operation.

i From the foregoing description of an embodiment of this invention, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

,I claim:

l. A die comprising a head, chasers carried by said head for motion from and toward an axis of said head, movable means carried by said head for simultaneously moving said chasers toward or away from said axis, means tending to move said moving means to chaser-open position with said chasers remote from said axis, a releasable latch carried by said head for holding said moving means in normal die-closed position, a second latch carried by said head for holding said moving means in a position beyond normal dieclosed position wherein said chasers are positioned to cut the work under-size when said first-l mentioned latch is in die-closed position, means acting upon said second latch for releasing said second latch after a predetermined extent of threading to permit said die to assume normal die-closed position, means acting on said firstmentioned releasable means for releasing said rst-mentionedlatch after a predetermined further extent o'f threading to permit said die to open, and means actuable to close said die to under-size cutting condition.

2. A die comprising a head, chasers carried by said head for motion from and toward an axis of said head, movable means carried by said head for simultaneously moving said chasers toward or away from said axis, means tending to move said moving means to Chaser-open position with said chasers remote from said axis, a releasable latch carried by said head for holding said moving means in normal die-closed position, a second latch carried by said head for holding said moving means in a position beyond normal die-closed position wherein said chasers are positioned to cut the work under-size when said rst-mentioned latch is in die-closed position, means acting upon said second' latch for releasing said second latch after a predetermined extent of threading to permit saiddie'to assume normal dieclosed position, means acting on said first-mentioned latch for releasing said rst-mentioned r latch after a predetermined further extent of threading to permit said die to open, means actuable to close said die to under-size cutting condition, and yielding means acting when said actuable means closes said die to position each of said latches in die-closed holding condition.

3. A die comprising a head, chasers carried by said head for motion from and toward an axis of said head, means carried by said head and `movable longitudinally of said axis and operatively connected-tosaid chasers to cause such longitudinal motion of said means to move said chasers toward and from said axis to close and open said die, a pair of stop members, one of said stop members being fixed to said head and the other of said stop members. being movable on said head longitudinally to said axis, a member rockable aboutl said axis between said stop members, said movable stop member and said rockable member having abutments cooperating in one angular position of said rockable member to hold said movable stop member in one axial position and in another angular position of said rockable member to permit said movable stop member to move axially toward said fixed stop member a predetermined distance, a second rockable member bearing against said movable stop member, said second roc-hable member and said opening and closing means having parts cooperating in one angular (position of said second rockable member to hold said means in one position relative to said fixed member and in another angular position to permit said means to move to another axial position nearer to said` xed stop member, means resiliently pressing said chaser moving means toward said fixed stop member, said Chaser moving means when farthest from said stop member holding said chasers in closed position cutting below normal thread size, and when said Chaser moving means is nearest to said fixed member, as 'when both rocking members are in said other angular positions, to hold said chasers in dieopen positions and when in an intermediate position when said first-mentioned rockable member is in its other angular position and said second rockable member is in said one angular position to hold said chasers in normal thread cutting closed position, means for moving said moving means against the action of said pressing means to close said die to under-size thread cutting condition, and means tending to rock said rockable members each to said one angular position, cam means carried by said head for turning said iirstmentioned rockable member to its other position when said die has cut a predetermined distance, and means for turning said second rockable member to its other angular position when said die has threaded the work to a predetermined further distance.

4. A die comprising a head, a plurality of chasers movably carried by said head for motion from and toward the axis of said head, a Chaser moving member carried by said head for motion longitudinally oi said axis and having operative connections to said chasers causing the motion of said member to move said chasers between a normal die-closed condition and a further closed condition for cutting under-sized threads, yielding means acting on said chaser moving member tending to open said die, a member xed to said head, a member carried by said head for rocking motion and operatively bearing on said xed member, a second member carried by said head and movable along said axis with said Chaser moving member, said second member and said rocha-ble member having engaging parts eiective in one angular position of said rockable member to hold said Chaser moving member in undersize cutting axial position and in another angular position permitting said cha-ser moving member to move toward said fixed member to condition said die for normal size threading, means eiiective to rock said rockable member from said one to said other angular position after a predetermined distance of under-size threading, yielding means for returning said rockable member to said one position on separation of said second member and rockable member, and means effective on said second member after the completion of the threading operation to produce such separation.

5. A die comprising a head, a plurality of chasers movably carried by said head for motion from and toward the axis of said head, a Chaser moving member carried by said head for motion longitudinally oi said axis and having operative connections to said chasers causing the motion of said member to move said chasers between a normal die-closed condition and a further closed condition for cutting under-sized threads, yielding means acting on said Chaser moving member tending to open said die, a member xed to said head, a member carried by said head for rocking motion and operatively bearing on said xed member, a second member carried by said head and movable along said axis with said chaser moving member, said second member and said rockable member having engaging parts effective in one angular position of said rockable member to hold said chaser moving member in under-size cutting axial position and in another angular position permitting said chaser moving member to move toward said xed member to condition said die for normal size threading, said head having an axial opening therein, a cam plunger slidable in said opening and having a work-engaging abutment, a spring seated in said head and bearing on said plunger, and operative connections between said plunger and rockable member causing the axial motion of said plunger against the pressure of said spring by pressure of work on said abutment to rock said rockable member from said one to said other position and permit said die to open from under-size cutting to normal sise cutting condition.

6. A die comprising a head, a plurality of chasers movably carried by said head for motion from and toward the axis of said head, a Chaser moving member carried by said head for .motion longitudinally of said axis and having operative Connections to said chasers causing the motion of said member to move said chasers between a normal die-closed condition and a further closed condition for cutting under-sized threads, yielding means acting on said chaser moving member tending to open said die, a member fixed to said head, a member carried by said head for rocking motion and operatively bearing on said xed member, a second member carried by said head and movable along said axis with said Chaser moving member, said second member and said rockable member having engaging parts eiective in one angular position of said rockable member to hold said chaser moving member in undersize cutting axial position and in another angular position permitting said Chaser moving member to move toward said fixed member to condition said die for normal size threading, said head having an axial opening therein, a cam plunger slidable in said opening and having a work-engaging abutment, a spring seated in said head and bearing on said plunger, operative connections between said plunger and rockable member causing the axial motion of said plunger against the pressure of said spring by pressure of work on said abutment to rock said rocliable member from said one to said other position and permit said die to open from under-size cutting to normal size cutting condition, another yielding means acting on said rockable member tending to hold said rockable member in said one angular position,

and means acting on said second member after a thread cutting operation to separate said second member from said rockable member sufficiently for said other yielding means to return said rockable member to said one angular position.

7. A die comprising a head, a plurality of chasers movably carried by said head for motion from and toward an axis of said head, a Chaser moving member carried by said head for motion longitudinally of said axis and having operative connections to said chasers causing the motion of said member to move said chasers between a normal die-closed condition and a further closed condition for cutting under-sized threads, yielding means acting on said chaser moving member tending to open said die, a member iixed to said head, a member carried by said head for rocking motion and operatively bearing on said xed member, a second member carried by said head and movable along said axis with said chaser moving member, said second member and said rockable member having engaging parts effective in one angular position of said rockable member to hold said Chaser moving member in under-size cutting axial position and in another angular position permitting said chaser moving member to move toward said xed member to condition said die for normal size threading, said head having an axial opening therein, a cam plunger slidable in said opening and having a work-engaging abutment, a spring seated in said head and bearing on said plunger, said head having a guide passage opposite to said rockable member transverse to said axis, said rockable member having an internal recess registering with said passage when said rockable member' is in said other angular position and partly out oi such registry when said rockable member is in said one angular position, a cam element slidable in said passage into said recess and when pressed into said recess forcing said rockable member angularly into said other angular position, said plunger having a cam surface in engagement with said cam element and having a rise positioned to force said cam element outwardly into said recess when said plunger is pushed rearwardly by pressure of work on said abutment to rock said rockable member from said one to said other position and permit said die to open from undersize cutting to normal size cutting condition.

8. A die comprising a head, a plurality of chasers movably carried by said head for motion from and toward the axis of said head, a chaser moving member carried by said head for motion longitudinally of said axis and having operative connections to said chasers causing the motion of said member to move said chasers between a normal die-closed condition and a further closed condition for cutting undersized threads, yielding means acting on said chaser moving member tending to open said die, a member xed to said head, a member carried by said head for rocking motion and operatively bearing on said fixed member, a second member carried by said head and movable along said axis with said chaser moving member, said second member and said rockable member having engaging parts effective in one angular position of said rockable member to hold said chaser moving member in under-size cutting axial position and in another angular position permitting said chaser moving member to move toward said iixed member to condition said die for normal size threading, said head having an axial opening therein, a cam plunger slidable in said opening and having a workengaging abutment, a spring seated in said head and bearing on said plunger, said head having a guide passage opposite to said rockable member transverse to said axis, said rockable member having an internal recess registering with said passage when said rockable member is in said other angular position and partly out of such registry when said rockable member is in said one angular position, a cam element slidable in said passage into said recess and when pressed into said recess forcing said rockable member angularly into said other angular position, said plunger having a cam surface in engagement with said cam element and having a rise positioned to force said cam element into said recess when said plunger is pushed rearwardly by pressure of work on said abutment to rock said rockable member from said one to said other position and permit said die to open from under-size cutting to normal size cutting condition, another yielding means acting on said rockable member in said one angular position, and means acting on said second member after a thread cutting operation to separate said second member from said rockable member sufficiently for said other yielding means to return said rockable member to said one angular position.

9. A die comprising a head, chasers carried by said head for motion from and toward an axis of said head, a member movably carried by Said head and operatively connected to said chasers for simultaneously moving said chasers toward or away from said axis from one to another of three positions relative to said head, in the rst of which positions said chasers are closed beyond normal die closed position in relation to out undersized threads, in the second of which positions said chasers are in normally closed relation, and in the third of which positions said chasers are in die-open relation, and a pair of elements movably carried by said head for successive movement from inoperative positions as said die is threading a Work piece, said die including mechanism actuated by such movement of the rst of said elements to be moved during a threading operation, to move said member from said first position to said second position, and said die including mechanism actuated by such movement of the other of said elements after the movement of said rst element, to move said member from said second position to said third position.

ROBERT R. FINN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile oi this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,114,704 Scott Oct. 20, 1914 1,953,529 Bysshe et al Apr. 3, 1934 2,026,471 Hoelzel Dec. 31, 1935 2,032,757 Reimschissel June 1, 1937 2,163,598 Hogg June 27, 1939 2,195,837 Breitenstein Apr. 2, 1940 2,265,764 Robertson Dec. 9, 1941 2,291,919 Reimschissel Aug. 4, 1942 

